First Wedding!

[camz]

Scout the place and plan...then stick with your plan. Know what lenses and equipment you will need during the getting ready stage, the ceremony, the group shots, the couple solo and reception. Have then ready to go during each stage (Can't afford to miss the moments)

Also have your shot list ready, your gear list ready and the schedule. Vision what your going to do and stick with it. Can't go there without a plan and a vision.

I know you're not getting paid but preparation is almost half the battle and it is good practice if you want to pursue it professionally. Later you might not even need the creative shot list as you can just go with the flow.

I say the most difficult part of wedding photography is the documenting the natural occurrences. That will depend on you're photojournalism skills. Getting ready and the ceremony as an example.

Good luck.

Edit: BTW as much as possible...never leave your bride.

Here's how I list things as an example from the last wedding(hopefully it helps):

Creative Shots:


Hotel Lobby (steps, side of fireplace) 1) Groom sitting on step while Bride is standing alongside Groom 2) B&G both sitting down on the steps
Fireplace Area 1) Sitting down on couch conversation-like (thru the glass) 2) Sitting down holding hands 3) Groom sitting up while Bride is leaning/laying 4) Groom in front of fireplace (in focus) while Bride is in the background sitting on the couch (thru the glass) 5) B&G back-to-back sitting on fireplace 6) Posing at the bar 7) Drinking drinks, talking, holding hands

Tusca Restaurant w/ Wooden Structure 1) Standing facing each other smiling, forehead-to-forehead 2) Kissing shot (thru wooden structure - background/foreground) 3) Model pose in front of wooden structure 4) Bride slightly leaning on wooden structure 5) Bridal veil shot with bride behind the wooden structure
Entryway Ramp to the Hotel 1) Dipping shot 2) Standing shot leaning on the rails
Chess 1) B&G shoe shot (lifting dress) with Bridal Bouquet only 2) B&G standing up straight along with chess pieces 3) B&G playing chess
Equipment List:

5D Mark II
5D Mark I
20D (backup)
580EXII flash
580EX flash #1
580EX flash #2
(3) Flex TT5
(3) 4GB CF Cards for Cam
(2) 16GB CF Cards for Dash
(1) 562MB CF Card (backup)
40-inch Tri Grip Reflector
30-inch Tri Grip Reflector
Tripod
Monopod
24mm lens
35mm lens
135mm lens
85mm lens
50mm lens
200mm lens
24-70mm lens
70-200mm lens
(8) Eneloop Batteries
(4) Power 2000 Batteries
(8) PowerEx Batteries
Camera Battery Chargers
Battery Chargers
Bottled Water
Power Bar/Snacks
Reflectors
Softbox
Tide Magic Pen (for stains)
Business Cards
Sony Digital Frame
E-session DVD
Laptop
Guestbook
Gum

Schedule:

1030am
Bridal suite - getting ready shots 1130am
Groom's suite - getting ready shots 100pm
Bridal Makeup at Hotel Salon 130/200pm
B&G "First Look" Photo Session 300pm
B&G and Wedding Party Photo Session 430/500pm
Ceremony 500-600pm
Cocktails 600pm-1200am
Dinner Reception Starts

Grand Entrance of the Newly-weds

Best Man Toast

Maid of Honor Toast

Cake Cutting

First Dance

Mother/Son Dance

Father/Daughter Dance

Bouquet Toss

Garter Toss

Dancing Dancing Dancing

 

[JessicaBlair]

oh and dont get too liquored up!

Well, I can't anyways, have to go to my daughters dance recital immediately following the reception

 

[Robin Usagani]

Save some memorry space for your daughters then!

oh and dont get too liquored up!

Well, I can't anyways, have to go to my daughters dance recital immediately following the reception

 

[JessicaBlair]

I have plenty of cards for both!

Save some memorry space for your daughters then!

oh and dont get too liquored up!

Well, I can't anyways, have to go to my daughters dance recital immediately following the reception

 

[JessicaBlair]

Thank you so much. That is a lot of help!

Scout the place and plan...then stick with your plan. Know what lenses and equipment you will need during the getting ready stage, the ceremony, the group shots, the couple solo and reception. Have then ready to go during each stage (Can't afford to miss the moments)

Also have your shot list ready, your gear list ready and the schedule. Vision what your going to do and stick with it. Can't go there without a plan and a vision.

I know you're not getting paid but preparation is almost half the battle and it is good practice if you want to pursue it professionally. Later you might not even need the creative shot list as you can just go with the flow.

I say the most difficult part of wedding photography is the documenting the natural occurrences. That will depend on you're photojournalism skills. Getting ready and the ceremony as an example.

Good luck.

Edit: BTW as much as possible...never leave your bride.

Here's how I list things as an example from the last wedding(hopefully it helps):

Creative Shots:


Hotel Lobby (steps, side of fireplace) 1) Groom sitting on step while Bride is standing alongside Groom 2) B&G both sitting down on the steps
Fireplace Area 1) Sitting down on couch conversation-like (thru the glass) 2) Sitting down holding hands 3) Groom sitting up while Bride is leaning/laying 4) Groom in front of fireplace (in focus) while Bride is in the background sitting on the couch (thru the glass) 5) B&G back-to-back sitting on fireplace 6) Posing at the bar 7) Drinking drinks, talking, holding hands

Tusca Restaurant w/ Wooden Structure 1) Standing facing each other smiling, forehead-to-forehead 2) Kissing shot (thru wooden structure - background/foreground) 3) Model pose in front of wooden structure 4) Bride slightly leaning on wooden structure 5) Bridal veil shot with bride behind the wooden structure
Entryway Ramp to the Hotel 1) Dipping shot 2) Standing shot leaning on the rails
Chess 1) B&G shoe shot (lifting dress) with Bridal Bouquet only 2) B&G standing up straight along with chess pieces 3) B&G playing chess
Equipment List:

5D Mark II
5D Mark I
20D (backup)
580EXII flash
580EX flash #1
580EX flash #2
(3) Flex TT5
(3) 4GB CF Cards for Cam
(2) 16GB CF Cards for Dash
(1) 562MB CF Card (backup)
40-inch Tri Grip Reflector
30-inch Tri Grip Reflector
Tripod
Monopod
24mm lens
35mm lens
135mm lens
85mm lens
50mm lens
200mm lens
24-70mm lens
70-200mm lens
(8) Eneloop Batteries
(4) Power 2000 Batteries
(8) PowerEx Batteries
Camera Battery Chargers
Battery Chargers
Bottled Water
Power Bar/Snacks
Reflectors
Softbox
Tide Magic Pen (for stains)
Business Cards
Sony Digital Frame
E-session DVD
Laptop
Guestbook
Gum

Schedule:

1030am
Bridal suite - getting ready shots 1130am
Groom's suite - getting ready shots 100pm
Bridal Makeup at Hotel Salon 130/200pm
B&G "First Look" Photo Session 300pm
B&G and Wedding Party Photo Session 430/500pm
Ceremony 500-600pm
Cocktails 600pm-1200am
Dinner Reception Starts

Grand Entrance of the Newly-weds

Best Man Toast

Maid of Honor Toast

Cake Cutting

First Dance

Mother/Son Dance

Father/Daughter Dance

Bouquet Toss

Garter Toss

Dancing Dancing Dancing

 

[AverageJoe]

Shoot in RAW too!